Guernsey step up

Guernsey have been granted full associate membership to the International Cricket Council today.

The decision to promote Guernsey to associate status comes three years after they were granted affiliate membership and was unanimously approved during the annual conference in Dubai this week.

Two years ago an agreement was reached between the Guernsey Cricket Board and Sussex CCC, whereby Sussex would get involved in the running of the Guernsey ICC senior team and Guernsey youth cricket.

The agreement was also reached to develop a Sussex-linked academy based on the island and Sussex commits a lot of its coaching manpower to the development of Guernsey cricket. The agreement means Guernsey has a player pathway from grassroots cricket through to Test cricket.

Keith Greenfield, Sussex cricket performance manager, said: “It’s great news for Guernsey and Sussex Cricket. Our link with Guernsey has gone from strength to strength and it’s a wonderful opportunity for the standards of their cricket to improve.”

Gus Mackay, Sussex chief executive, added: “Congratulations to Guernsey, we are delighted that they have been granted the ICC membership. We have forged very strong links with Guernsey over the last two years and they are highly deserved of their new ICC status.”